VehicleVerdict

2011 Nissan Sentra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2011 Nissan Sentra sits mid-pack among Sentra years: 199 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 155, with 2 recalls and no defect investigations. Complainants reported 20 injuries in total across these filings.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 50 reports (25% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

199

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

26

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

20

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2011 compare to other Sentra years?

Sentra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted871 complaints1982: 1 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 4 complaints1985: 6 complaints1986: 9 complaints1987: 46 complaints1988: 40 complaints1989: 49 complaints1990: 45 complaints1991: 77 complaints1992: 81 complaints1993: 89 complaints1994: 130 complaints1995: 158 complaints1996: 177 complaints1997: 138 complaints1998: 76 complaints1999: 74 complaints2000: 236 complaints2001: 307 complaints2002: 388 complaints2003: 240 complaints2004: 235 complaints2005: 224 complaints2006: 155 complaints2007: 215 complaints2008: 233 complaints2009: 81 complaints2010: 212 complaints2011: 199 complaints2012: 260 complaints2013: 871 complaints2014: 524 complaints2015: 496 complaints2016: 400 complaints2017: 339 complaints2018: 285 complaints2019: 356 complaints2020: 316 complaints2021: 209 complaints2022: 141 complaints2023: 33 complaints2024: 52 complaints2025: 42 complaints2026: 13 complaints
Sentra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Sentra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Nissan Sentra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System5025%
Engine3317%
Airbags2010%
Transmission1910%
Other189%
Brakes147%
Steering84%
Body & Structure74%
Visibility & Wipers63%
Fuel System63%
Speed Control63%
Tires & Wheels63%
Seats21%
Seat Belts11%
Suspension11%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)11%
Latches & Locks11%

Does the 2011 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V579000Electrical SystemDecember 15, 2011 · 33,803 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH MR20 ENGINES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 11, 2010, TO MAY 22, 2010, AND JULY 8, 2010, TO OCTOBER 25, 2010. THE ZINC COATING APPLIED TO THE TERMINAL STUD BOLT WAS THICKER THAN SPECIFICATION. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VOLTAGE DROP THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM).

Consequence

THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND IT MAY NOT BE POSSIBLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE AFTER IT STOPPED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL AND COVER, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALLBEGAN ON JANUARY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

10V555000Electrical SystemNovember 12, 2010 · 13,737 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 SENTRA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 22, 2010, THROUGH JULY 8, 2010. DUE TO A MACHINING IRREGULARITY, THE BOLT/WASHER SURFACE ON THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END MAY ALLOW FOR A GAP TO OCCUR IN THE CONTACT AREA OF THE TERMINAL. THIS CAN RESULT IN A VOLTAGE DROP THAT MAY CAUSE DIFFICULTY STARTING THE VEHICLE AND COULD CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE.

Consequence

THIS ISSUE CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AT LOW SPEED WITH A DIFFICULT OR NO START INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL CABLE END WITH A NEW ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN PN NOVEMBER 29, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT AN ENGINEER WAS GOING TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, BUT THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 20, 2011 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN SENTRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A GATE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 11, 2014 · crash

“THE CAR WAS HIT IN THE DRIVER AND REAR DOOR AT APPROXIMATELY 40MILES PER HOUR. THE SIDE AIRBAG WAS TOO FORCEFUL CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY TO EYE AND BURNS MARK. WE FEEL THE AIRBAG WAS MORE HARM THAN GOOD, AT THE POINT OF ALMOST LOSING EYESIGHT IN ONE EYE.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · August 21, 2015 · crash

“A 3 YEAR OLD CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT SHIFT GEAR ( DEFECTIVE SHIFTER ASSEMBLY ) FROM PARK TO DRIVE , FIRST WAS TOLD BY NISSAN IT IS COVERED BY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY (60K MILES ) AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER IT'S NOT. *TR WHY IS THE CONSUMER HAVE TO PAY FOR FACTORY INSTALLED DEFECTIVE PART ? WE ARE NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 6, 2014

“I PURCHASED THE CAR MARCH 14, 2011 AND THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ISSUES WITH MAKING NOISES AND VIBRATING. I RETURN THE VEHICLE THE FOLLOWING WEEK AND DEALERSHIP COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS, BUT REFERRED TO NISSAN SERVICE. ON JULY 29, 2011, MY MOTHER MOVED MY CAR OUT OF A FIRE LINE AT APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 29, 2011 · crash

2011 Nissan Sentra — common questions

Is the 2011 Nissan Sentra reliable?

It is close to typical for the Sentra: 199 NHTSA complaints, 2 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2011 Sentra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (50 complaints), engine (33 complaints), airbags (20 complaints).

Does the 2011 Nissan Sentra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Nissan Sentra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Sentra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Sentra years to avoid are 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2002, 2019, 2017, 2020, 2001, 2018, 2012, 2003, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2005, 1996, 1995, 2006, 1994. The cleanest record among Sentra years belongs to 1983.

How safe is the 2011 Nissan Sentra?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2011 Nissan Sentra earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.